“What you want?” he asked, and though the words were abrupt, the tone in which he uttered them was almost servile.
Bobby had done some quick thinking in the last few seconds. He had already decided to say nothing that might lead the guide to suspect the real object of their mission. But since seeing the latter he had made up his mind to be even more careful.
The fellow was surly naturally. There was a shifty look in his eyes. If he should once get wind of the treasure, there was no knowing what he might do. Bobby knew instinctively that this particular Eskimo could not be trusted. So now he told the fellow just enough to satisfy his curiosity—no more.
They wanted some papers and books they believed to be in the battered hulk of the ship that had been wrecked a way down the coast. Did he remember it?
By a slight nod and a grunt the Eskimo let him understand that he did.
Well, if they could find the papers and books and get them safely home, the Eskimo would be well paid. Would he help them?
The Eskimo not only agreed, but seemed eager to be off. The ship—or, rather, the battered hulk of what had once been a ship—was not very far from there, it seemed, only two or three hours journey.
Delighted at the change in the manner of the Eskimo and only too glad not to delay longer the search for the treasure, the boys agreed to start as soon as they had something to eat and had warmed themselves before the fire.
Mooloo’s wife and his two roly-poly, big-eyed children joined them for lunch; although the children, shy at sight of the strangers, did their best to hide behind their mother until hunger and the sight of tempting food lured them forth.
Refreshed and filled with a wild excitement now that the treasure seemed almost in sight, the boys, with Mooloo, the guide, set forth eagerly for the treasure ship.